How does Mark Dominik determine a successful draft?

We’ve heard a great deal in the past few days from both local and national media why the Bucs appear to have had a successful draft. But how do the Bucs themselves view their haul of draft picks? Why do they think this is a group that has a chance to help change the team’s fortunes?

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This question was posed to general manager Mark Dominik. His response was worth passing along.

“You always feel great after the draft. I think every GM sits up here and says, ‘What a great day,’’’ Dominik said. “But this feels like a really good draft because of the character of the men we took, the production that they had and, I think, how they’re going to fit into this football team.

“We didn’t draft guys who are just going to be special teamers. We drafted guys who are going to have roles. I think the guys, one through seven, have a role on this football team and an opportunity on this football to really contribute, not just on fourth down, but first, second and third.”

Every team would like to think it drafted players who will immediately contribute in meaningful ways, but that rarely happens. The Bucs, however, seem to really believe these selections can have an impact now rather than later.

Those are high expectations, but time will tell whether they are realistic.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans: Keep up with your team news on Bucs Beat, our blog for all things Bucs. Tampa Bay Times sports writers keep you posted on the latest Bucs news, and you can weigh in with your own thoughts.